It was the meeting of friends; to view a show which Dianne participated….but it was much more! She had mentioned it a few weeks back and I had been on travel but I wanted to see it. It was pushed smack into the middle of the very next day.

I am so glad I took the time. The show is entitled: SOLART: Turning solar panels into art. It is sponsored by SMUD, Valley Sculpture Artists and Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. They made a call to artists to turn 100 ‘historic’ (used in Sacramento homes) solar panels into art.

Twenty-five local artists answered the call. Each used their superior talent to morph these 20” x 43” blue, crystal-like glass panels into something beautiful and interesting. Their themes include classical mythology, statements about past, future and renewable energy, natural resources, progress and more.

They enshrined these panels with stone, shells, ceramic, wood, metal, fabric and many other unique embellishments to produce a totally unique WOW factor. This is inventive, intelligent, thought-provoking art.

My friend Dianne’s diptych entitled ‘Evening Paradise’ featured her signature palm trees. She said they “represent resiliency through the storms of life.” Many of the pieces are large and wonderful to walk through and touch.

To view the show, park across from the SMUD Customer Service Center located at 6301 S street, Sacramento, CA. 8 am – 6 pm M-F. While there are some installments in the 1st floor lobby, take the elevator (look right) to the 2nd floor Solar Gallery to experience the majority of the work.

Show ends July 31st – if you are in Sacramento, It is worth the effort to take in this show. Write Dianne Mattar at: artistmattar@gmail.com for more information.